In Zhytomyr, a man who was "extorting" money from a lawyer was detained: he threatened with violence

In Zhytomyr, a man who was "extorting" money from a lawyer was detained: he threatened with violence

In Zhytomyr, law enforcement officers detained a suspect in extorting money from a lawyer.

This was reported on February 3 by the communication department of the Zhytomyr region police reports.

«Police officers, together with SSU employees, exposed a Zhytomyr resident who threatened the lawyer and his family members with physical violence, demanding money. The man accused the lawyer of destroying his family and demanded the return of a non-existent debt,» the report states.

Law enforcement officers established that at the beginning of October, the 54-year-old suspect expressed dissatisfaction with the lawyer regarding his improper performance of professional duties. In his opinion, it was an unjustified interference in his family life, especially due to the provision of legal services to his wife during the divorce process.

However, there were no previous written agreements or verbal arrangements between the lawyer and the man. Nonetheless, the «complainant» assessed his claims at $550, €200, and 3000 UAH, allegedly previously paid from the family budget as a fee.

He terrorized the 43-year-old lawyer for a long time through phone conversations and personal meetings, exerting psychological pressure, threatening physical violence, and constantly reminding of the «unpaid debt».

It is noted that the Security Service of Ukraine in the Zhytomyr region reported, that for «convincing» purposes, the criminal threatened to «involve» his acquaintances – criminals – in the extortion.

«After several months of active intimidation and persecution, fearing for his health and life, as well as for his close ones, the victim agreed to «settle» the non-existent debt in parts,» the SSU informs.

The press service of the Zhytomyr Regional Prosecutor’s Office reported that on January 29, in the center of Zhytomyr, after receiving 900 USD from the victim, the extortionist was exposed and detained in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.

«Currently, a preventive measure in the form of detention without the right to bail has been chosen for the suspect. For the committed offense, he faces a punishment of imprisonment for a term of seven to twelve years with confiscation of property,» the report states.